LONDON—It wasn’t quite midnight local time on the team’s flight to London, but that didn’t stop the Bulls’ rookies—James Johnson andTaj Gibson—from leading an inspiring rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Derrick Rose, who turned 21 on Sunday.

“I don’t really like that stuff,” said Rose, almost sheepishly. “But the rookies have to do those kinds of things. …

People always ask me what Michael Jordan really is like. Having been around him his entire playing career and, especially early in his career on several social occasions, I’m supposed to know. But I never could quite explain it exactly. I’d offer some stuff about being a man’s man and, basically, a good guy, a tough guy at times, but …